II Corinthians, Chapter 3
The child of God and his work is discussed in chapter 3.

The credentials of the child of God are found in verses 1-3. Paul's authority was authenticated; hence, he needed no further letters of commendation (verse 1). It is evident from this verse that Paul had been charged by his enemies of self praise. His sincere effort to authenticate his ministry had led his enemies to make this charge. Through the ministry of Paul, these people had been recipients of the grace of God. Paul now asks them, "Do I need letters of recommendation to you or from you?" Letters of recommendation are often insincere and do not give a clear or fair picture. Paul had lived among them, however, and no letter would add or subtract from the conduct they had witnessed in him. The best credentials are the lives of people who have experienced the saving grace of God (verse 2). These Corinthian believers served as the best possible source of recommendation for the authority of Paul. People in the city of Corinth had witnessed the change that the gospel of Christ had brought into the lives of these people. Things that are dear to us are said to be in the heart or on the heart. Proof of Paul's love for these people is seen in this expression. It is important that each of us minister with this attitude, and the result we may leave to God. The Epistles of Christ through Paul by the Holy Spirit is in verse 3. People who have experienced the grace of God are obvious because of their manner of living brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. God works through His servants to bring the reality of Christianity to bear in the heart. (Rom. 10:17) The faith held by these people was the product of Paul's service among them. This faith was not something written with ink that could pass away; neither was it written on stone which denoted something outward. It was written on the human heart by the blessed Holy Spirit. Following such a lasting experience, how could they possibly question with what authority Paul wrote to them? How quick is the human heart to forget benefits brought to the life.

Confidence in the credentials is given by God in verse 4-6. Paul's whole confidence was through Christ (verse 4). His confidence did not rest in self and his own abilities to produce. He was confident that God had called him to the ministry and given the necessary divine enablements. This truth does away with pride, arrogance and self will. It leads one to the position of humility, courage, and faith. Paul's confidence in God, in relation to his ministry, could stand His inspection. Paul's ministry was of such a nature that it could stand the sight of God or endure the sight of God. Paul's source of confidence was God (verse 5). In no way did Paul consider himself to be qualified for the work of God apart from the help of God. Such is our weakness and inability in ourselves that we cannot think a good thought, much less raise a good thought in others. Because our sufficiency is of God, He is due all praise and glory for accomplishment. "My qualification comes from God." The power and ability with which I can sufficiently minister comes from God, and in no way has any human merit tied to it. "Able ministers of the New Testament" is mentioned in verse 6. God had set His hand upon Paul to be a dispenser of a new covenant. God had made Paul fit and worthy to do such a great work. It is important that we recognize our "being fitted" for the job God calls us to do. The letter and spirit are contrasted. The letter refers to the old covenant given at Mt. Sinai and was addressed to the eye, ear, and understanding. Thus, this addressed the outward man and had no power to accomplish anything. The spirit refers to the gospel which is written on the table of the heart by the Holy Spirit and receives its power from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. "The letter (written code) kills, but the spirit gives life." We might ask the question, how does the law or letter kill? To that we would answer, through its demand for complete and perfect obedience. Rom. 10:5 and Gal. 3:12 make it very clear that the sentence of death is upon the one who renders not perfect obedience. (James 2:10) The ministry of the Holy Spirit is a life-giving ministry. Spiritual life, John 3:6, is given by the Holy Spirit, and life eternal is imparted unto the believing heart (John 5:24).

Confidence in the program which God has given us is found in verses 7-11. Contrast of the old and the new is in verse 7 and 8. Reference is made to the legal dispensation, summed up in the Decalogue which pronounces death for transgression. It must be remembered that the law here spoken of is not the first tables of stone, which God actually wrote with His own finger (Ex. 31:18) but the second set of two tables of stone, which Moses wrote (Ex. 34:27,28). The first set of laws, which God gave, was not tempered with mercy; but the writing of the second set was associated with the revelation of God as a God of mercy and grace (Ex. 34:5-7). This whole event surrounding the giving of the law was surrounded with glory. The people were unable to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its brilliance. This glory was, however, to fade and pass away. One of the main reasons Moses placed a veil over his face was to keep the people from seeing the fading glory, which spoke of the fading glory of the Decalogue. If the old ministration was accompanied by such glory, so much more would the ministration of the spirit, which was lasting, be glorious (verse 8). For under the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, men would be obtained and governed by the Spirit. How much more glorious is that which brings permanent and abiding life. The glory of the new far exceeds the glory of the old (verse 9, 10). Even though the ministration of condemnation brought the wrath and curse of God, it was accompanied by glory. Here God was seen above us and against those who sinned. Yet, in all this there was revealed glory. How much more shall that which makes righteous and reveals God as, Emmanuel-God with us, abound in splendor and glory! Here the glorious gospel is seen in resplendent glory over the old order. What little glory was seen in the law was completely overshadowed by the new order of grace. As the moon loses its glory in the presence of the sun, so the old order loses its glory in light of the new. The superiority of the new over the old is seen in its permanence (verse 11). Under the law man was dealt with according to the nature he possessed. Obedience to the law was demanded. The message of the grace of God gives to men a new nature and sets before them a high calling. Again those words "done away" appear in this verse and refer to the law. In contrast stands the message of "grace" which is always fresh and flourishing and remains glorious.

Confidence in proclaiming the glorious new order is found in verses 12-18. The manner in which this new order is to be presented is in verse 12. Here is a call to present the gospel in a frank, open, courageous manner. The thought expressed in the word plainness is one of boldness or outspokenness. This stands in contrast to a timid or apologetic presentation. It also stands in contrast to the fear of consequences for standing true and proclaiming the message of Gods redeeming love. This is all done on the basis of our possessing "such hope." The hope of future glory shall result from the presentation of the gospel. The old order was veiled in its presentation and reception (verses 13-15). Moses once again is brought to our attention as putting a veil over his face to keep the people from seeing the fading of the glory of his face. This, of course, speaks of the fading glory of the old order that one day would end. Verse 14 sees the whole inner man was rendered hard or calloused. The veil that was first thrown over the truth is still there. The Israelites of Paul's day were as blinded to the truth as those of Moses' day. Things had not changed. These people remained satisfied with externals things rather than seek to know what lie behind the types. This sin of being satisfied with externals only is certainly one of the biggest battles that we face in our day. The judicial blindness of Israel is and will be in effect until fullness of the Gentiles is come (verse 15). (Rom. 11:25) Notice the blindness is not so much the scriptures as of the mind and heart. The new order beholds the glory of God as in a mirror and the veil stripped away (verse 16-18). When a person is converted to God, the veil of ignorance is taken away. The blindness of the mind and the hardness of the heart are cured (verse 16). The scriptures take on new meaning as the veil is lifted, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher (I John 2:27). Liberty through our Lord Jesus Christ is stated in verse 17. This admittedly is a difficult verse that now comes to our attention. If this verse is an explanation, then it is designed to show why turning to the Lord secures the removal of the veil from the heart. It is because the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit is, there is liberty, freedom from the law that is from its bondage. If this verse is an inference, it suggests that since the veil is removed by turning to the Lord, it follows as a further consequence that by turning to Him, we have liberty. Christ is the spirit, and through Him we are emancipated from the bondage of the law. In Christ we are free, which doesn't give us, however, a license to permit the unbridled display of carnal desire. The transformed life "beholds" the glory of the Lord (verse 18). Here the individual is seen with a steadfast gaze and with rapt attention takes in all the glories of His blessed Lord. That into which he looks is the Word of God which reveals Christ. The more one gazes, or looks, the more one becomes like the image to which he looks-ILL. "Even as by the Spirit of the Lord," we are not changed by human improvement but rather by the mighty power of the indwelling Holy Spirit whose passion it is to make us like unto the Lord Jesus Christ.